Red Oak Series: Applying static grass

David Popp holding static grass.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   In this video, David Popp demonstrates the steps for adding static grass that will help make your scenery texture appear more authentic – even in small spaces like those found on Model Railroader magazine’s 3 x 7-foot N scale Red Oak project layout. […]

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Refurbishing a railway in the redwoods

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1. The Sierras. From Little Truckee River’s sawmill, trains pass several towns all the way to Lake Tahoe’s mines in the distance. Thirty years ago, Don and Sue Watters planted more redwoods in their already woodsy backyard to remind them of their favorite recreational area. The effect is quite dwarfing for viewers, who can picture […]

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Red Oak Series: Installing fascia

David Popp next to a half built layout.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page One the quickest ways to give even a small layout a more finished appearance is to add a protective fascia around its perimeter. That’s exactly what David Popp did for Model Railroader magazine’s 3 x 7-foot N scale Red Oak layout. In this […]

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Model Railroad Operations: Six tips for better operations

HO scale model train traveling down the tracks on a layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this MRVP exclusive video, Contributing Editor Andy Sperandeo uses MR magazine’s HO scale layout to demonstrate six helpful tips aimed at making you a better crew member during your next layout operating session. Coming from an “old head” like Andy, who’s operated […]

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HO scale Pennsylvania RR Middle Division

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HO scale Pennsylvania RR Middle Division from the April 2015 Model Railroader Name: Pennsylvania RR Middle Division Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 36 x 36 feet Prototype: Pennsylvania RR Locale: Harrisburg, Pa. Era: 1945 to 1950 Style: around the walls Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 36″ (main line), 24″ (branch line) Minimum turnout: no. 5 […]

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On30 scale Torres & Prietas RR

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On30 Torres & Prietas RR from the April 2015 Model Railroader Name: Torres & Prietas RR Scale: On30 (1:48 proportion, 30″ narrow gauge, also called On21⁄2) Size: 6′-9″ x 16′-0″ Theme: Southwest desert mining Locale: Arizona Era: Mid 20th century Style: Island Mainline run: 30 feet Minimum radius: 20″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: […]

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Red Oak Series: Adding ballast

Red Oak Series Adding ballast

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Just a little bit of a ballast goes a long way toward making Model Railroader magazine’s 3 x 7-foot N scale Red Oak layout look more realistic. In this video, David Popp walks you through the steps you’ll need to prepare the trackwork, […]

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Red Oak Series: DCC system installation

David Popp standing at a work table

While a complete Digital Command Control (DCC) system installation might not initially sound like a simple process, MRVP’s David Popp sure makes it seem that way in this how-to video. In his demonstration, David paces you through the steps he used to add a Digitrax Super Empire Builder Xtra system to Model Railroader magazine’s 3 […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 41 – Lessons Learned

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this final episode of MRVP’s Olympia Logging Co. On30 display-style layout construction series, David Popp and Kent Johnson highlight the efforts, successes, and shortcomings over the last several months. Enjoy the quick tour, glean helpful insights from the candid conversation, and then […]

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Red Oak Series: Benchwork construction

David Popp under a workbench.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Benchwork for the 3 x 7-foot N scale Red Oak layout didn’t need to be bulletproof, but it did need to be sturdy enough for us to move about the MR workshop and transport to shows. In this video, MRVP’s David Popp shows […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 40 – Layout operation

David Popp show’s you that it really is possible to perform prototypical operations on a layout as simple as our Olympia Logging Co. On30 display. Follow along as he first explains the scheme, makes the essential preparations, and then demonstrates how fun and easy it is to get the layout working like a real railroad […]

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